Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a new protocol aimed at supporting counties in establishing Domestic Violence Incident Review Teams. These teams are designed to bring together law enforcement, social services agencies, survivor advocates, and community organizations to enhance prevention methods for domestic violence.

The protocol does not prescribe a single approach but outlines various strategies used by Review Teams across the state, country, and world. It details the pros and cons of each method to cater to California's diverse communities.

"Honest and open discussions of how our responses to domestic violence can be improved, without blaming and shaming anyone, can save lives," said Attorney General Bonta. "Review Teams can be a wonderful space where disagreements are respectful and productive, which help stakeholders work together to break down silos. My office is always at the ready in the fight to prevent domestic violence."

Since 1995, California law has allowed counties to form domestic violence death review teams. These teams aim to identify and review domestic violence deaths, facilitate interagency communication, and develop recommendations for prevention policies. In 2022, legislation was amended to include the review of near-death incidents and tasked the Office of the Attorney General with creating a protocol for these reviews.

The new protocol encourages setting guiding principles and fostering productive disagreement within Review Teams. It provides guidance on team setup, including funding and membership structure, while outlining confidentiality laws and ethical rules binding the team members. Special considerations for engaging marginalized populations are also highlighted. The protocol includes steps for conducting detailed case reviews and crafting recommendations, along with an appendix of sample documents.

For further information on domestic violence resources, individuals can visit the Victims’ Services Unit website or call 877-433-9069.

A copy of the protocol is available online.